Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who today honoured nearly a dozen sportsperson, including the medal winners at the 5th National Games held in Imphal, made this announcement today. Speaking at the function, held at Indira Gandhi Indoor sports Complex, Dhumal, said the government would provide all necessary facilities to the budding talents to perform well at national and international levels.

The star attractions at the function were Shiv Chaudhry, who had won gold medal in boxing at the National Games, and Sita Gosain, former captain of the Indian women hockey team, which had won silver medal at the Bangkok Asian Games. Dicky Dolma, who had scaled Mount Everest, was also present to receive the honour.

The CM said that Shiv Chaudhry, currently undergoing training as a sub-inspector in the state police, would be promoted as inspector immediately after completion of the training while Sita Gosain, who was given a cash reward of Rs one lakh would also be given a housing flat or plot at the place of her choice by the government. Chaudhry was also given a cash award of Rs 51,000 for his performance in the national games.

Other benefits announced include three special increments to the winners of the gold medals, two for silver medalist and one for bronze medal winners.

Skalzong Dorgi, who won silver medal in archery at the National Games, was given a cash reward of Rs 51,000. Nutun, a silver medalist at Imphal in judo, was given a cash award of Rs 31,000, Amrik Singh, silver medalist, was also given a cash award of Rs 31,000.

Azad Singh and Devinder Singh, winners of wrestling bronze medal in the National Games, were given a cash award of Rs 11,000 each. Volleyball player Surjeet Singh was given a cash award of Rs 20,000. Rajesh Bhandari, secretary general of the Indian boxing team and manager of Indian team for the Asian Games was given Rs 10,000.

Jagir Singh, the assistant coach of the national volleyball team, which participated in Asian games, was given Rs 10,000 and Naresh Verma and Kuldeep Sharma, coaches of boxing and judo, respectively, were given Rs 5,100 each.

Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports Parveen Sharma and Horticulture Minister Narinder Bragta also spoke on the occasion.